Does Abdominoplasty Add Morbidity to Incisional Hernia Repair? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background. Abdominoplasty is considered an operation linked to a considerable rate of morbidity. The convenience of simultaneously performing an incisional hernia repair and an abdominoplasty remains controversial. Methods. A total of 111 patients were randomized prospectively to compare isolated incisional hernia repair and hernia repair when combined with abdominoplasty. Primary end points were in-hospital stay and early morbidity. Secondary end points were late morbidity, recurrences, and quality of life. Patients were followed-up for 24 months. Results. Duration of the surgical procedure differed significantly between both groups (39 vs 85 minutes, P < .001) and postoperative hospital stay (2.5 vs 3.5 days; P < .001). No statistically significant differences in early or late morbidity between both groups were detected. The perceived quality of life for patients was higher in the combined surgery group (P < .001) that in the isolated hernia repair group. Conclusions. Postoperative in-hospital stay and early and late morbidity do not differ significantly between isolated incisional hernia repair and simultaneous hernia repair with abdominoplasty, but associated abdominoplasty provides a higher quality of life when indicated.